Discover Patmos Highlights
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Port
Patmos, Greece
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$130
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
The small island of Pátmos in the Dodecanese is reputed to be where St John the Theologian wrote both his Gospel and the Apocalypse. A monastery dedicated to the 'beloved disciple' was founded there in the late 10th century and it has been a place of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox learning ever since. The fine monastic complex dominates the island. The old settlement of Chorá, associated with it, contains many religious and secular buildings.The small island of Pátmos in the Dodecanese is reputed to be where St John the Theologian wrote both his Gospel and the Apocalypse. A monastery dedicated to the 'beloved disciple' was founded there in the late 10th century and it has been a place of pilgrimage and Greek Orthodox learning ever since. The fine monastic complex dominates the island. The old settlement of Chorá, associated with it, contains many religious and secular buildings.
Journey to Patmos and the Grotto of St John, where the Apostle heard the voice of God, saw the future, and wrote the book of Revelation. At this most sacred spot on the island, St John the Theologian spent 16 months in exile. His simple cave is now a chapel and place of pilgrimage. The iconostases built into the cave depict St John's visions and the spots where the saint slept, wrote, and heard a great voice, as of a trumpet.
Continue on to the Monastery of St John the Theologian, built on an ancient acropolis. The monastery's massive 15th-century walls and 17th-century battlements looming over the town belie an intimate and peaceful interior of arches, inlaid pebble stone floors, and whitewashed buildings.
The charming Chapel of Christodoulos is profusely decorated with frescoes, and the old Treasury, now a museum, displays a breathtaking collection of jeweled chalices, crowns, crucifixes, vestments, and old manuscripts.
Stroll through the winding streets of Patmos, where houses dating back to the 16th century are linked by a maze of steps and lanes interspersed with small squares. The silent, shuttered villas are mostly owned by Athenians.
Visit the 300-year-old Simandris House to see its rich collection of antiques and architecture that presents an interesting combination of the Oriental tradition and the Western fashion favored in the 19th century.
Wind down at a local taverna. Channel your inner Zorba as you sample tasty mezes (appetizers) with Greek wine or ouzo, and enjoy a traditional Greek dance demonstration .
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. There is considerable walking uphill, up and down steps and over cobblestone streets. Not advisable for guests with mobility limitations. Modest attire is required; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Shorts and short skirts are not allowed.